Sign supporting structure



Feb. 5, 1952 5, w, KANAVAL- 2,584,713

SIGN SUPPORTING STRUCTURE 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Original Filed Nov. 20, 1945 STEPHAN W. KAN/1 VAL j dzmwm Feb. 5, 1952 s. w. KANAVAL SIGN SUPPORTING STRUCTURE 2 SHEETS-QSHEET 2 Original Filed Nov. 20. 1945 Patented Feb. 5, 1952 SIGN SUPPORTING STRUCTURE Stephen W. Kanaval, Deer Park, Ohio, assignor to The Coca-Cola Bottling Works Co.,.Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Original application November 20, 1945, Serial No. 629,836. Divided and this application January 6, 1950, Serial No. 137,254

4 Claims. (Cl. 40-125) This invention relates to a tubular assembly to be employed in the erection of signs and more particularly to sign structures constructed therewith.

This application is a division of my co-pending application Serial No. 629,836, filed November 20, 1945, now Patent No. 2,540,169; issued Feb. 6, 1951. An object of the invention is to provide simple and inexpensive sign structures for the erection upon buildings, or roof slabs, or upon the earth, with the use of simple tools and prefabricated. telescopic sections of metallic tubing which may easily be transported to any'erection site.

Another object is to enable relatively unskilled workmen to perform a highly satisfactory job of sign erection, without waste of time and effort, so that the work of erecting signs of all kinds may be performed at minimum expense and without professional supervision.

Another object is to reduce to a minimum the quantity and kinds of materials to be transported to the erection site in placing various kinds and types of signs, the structures in all instances being so standardized as to ensure achievement of this objective without in any manner complicating the procedure, but rather simplifying it to great advantage.

Another object of the invention is to facilitate and expedite the erection of signs, gainin the advantages of substantial uniformity in construction, cost, strength and durability thereof so that their permanency may be depended upon and guaranteed irrespective of conditions found at the place of erection.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the means described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmental perspective view of an earth supported sign embodying the means of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmental perspective view of a similar sign structure mounted upon a sloping roof or supporting slab.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a roof mast for supporting an overhanging suspended type of sign.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view, part being broken away, showing the telescopic tubular sections employed in practicing the invention, and indicating a method of joining and locking the sections together.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tubular sections telescopically arranged, and locked together by thesecuring means of Fig.4;

Fig. 6 and 6A are detail views in perspective, showing the securing means in modified form.

Fig. '7 is a perspective view showing a detail of assembly illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a panel supporting bracket.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a brace coupler.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an anchor member.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a plug-type end connector.

Fig. 12 is a side view of the connector shown in Fig. 11, and indicating connection thereof with another structural element.

As previously stated herein, one of the primary objects of the invention is to facilitate and expedite the erection of signs at low cost in labor and materials, while at the same time enhancing the strength, appearance, and serviceability of the structure. In the past, it was customary to proceed with the erection of signs, by first inspecting the site of installation and then estimating the type and the amount of the various construction materials necessary to complete the installation at the site selected. This mode of procedure invariably resulted in carryin to the job a variety of materials in excessive amounts to allow for waste, damage and mistakes, and it was customary to include skilled tradesmen in the work crew, to perform or supervise the necessary carpenter work. Depending upon conditions encountered upon the job, more or less skilled labor was involved in fitting and joining the structural elements of the sign, and this type of work often was aggravated by lack of uniformity in the size or quality of timbers and other materials utilized in making the installation. Conditions such as this, being unforeseen in many instances, resulted in delays and loss of ecfficiency, which invariably increased the cost of sign erection.

By means of the present invention, there has been established a uniformity of materials so fabricated as to be interfitting, with emphasis upon flexibility of use in assembly, so that the installation may be advanced to completion without loss of time, labor and materials. To this end, the invention contemplates the provision of two sizes of tubular structural members adapted for telescopic engagement, along with various fittings, fixtures, and fasteners, all of which readily may be assembled rapidly and with precision, to result in the production of highly durable, safe, and attractive signs.

The only tools required are a common screw driver, wrench, and

hammer, with the possible addition of means to cut the tubular members to length, as the par tic ilar installation may require. It will be apparent as the description proceeds, that the sign installation may be accomplished without the need for skilled labor.

In the drawings, the inner and outer tube members or sections are indicated by the characters i3 and i i, respectively. The sections may be of any convenient length, "as they will. ordinarily require cutting to a length as required by the peculiarities of the sign structure to be erected. As herein illustrated, the tube. sections may be substantially cylindrical in cross-sectional shape, the inner tube section being slightly smaller in diameter than the outer tube section, so that the sections may be telescoped together for establishing a given overall length.

as illustrated by Figs. .4 and 5, the outer tube section it is provided with a straight longitudinal or opening extending from end to end thereof the opening being bounded by inwardly turned substantially parallel flanges iii-A 5 spaced apart sufficiently to receive a screw or other fastener indicated at it. In line manner, the inner tube section it is furnished with spaced substantially parallel flanges il-il turned inwardly at an angle such that these flanges will rest substantially natwise against the sides of the outer tube rlanges it. The flanges 25 and ii preferably are substantially parallel to the axis of fastener iii, and as indicated upon Fig. 5, the flanges of the outer tube section may be made slightly wider than the flanges ii, so that when. the tube sections are telescoped one. within the other, all of the flanges will. extend. approximately the same distance inwardly of the tube sections. A screw or fastener is may have a head is of any desired shape, to be engageable. with a suitable tool for rotating the fastener. The size of the head should exceed the space between flanges i5i5, so that the head may not enter the longitudinal slot or way between the flanges. The character 19 indi-' cates a clamping member substantially U-shaped in cross section, said clamping member being bored and internally threaded at 2D to threadedly engage the shank of the screw or fastener It. The clamping member includes the substantially parallel upstanding legs 2i and 22 which are spaced apart a distance sufficiently so that they may embrace the outer faces of the inner tube flanges l'ii'. The height of the legs 2i and, 22

should slightly exceed the width of flange llli, so that the inner edges of said flanges will not rest upon the base of the clamping member when it is tightened in position by means of the screw or fastener 16.

In the preferred form of the invention, the free upper ends of the clamping member legs are slightly tapered as at 23, so as to fit. snugly within the crotches formed between the flanges and the adjacent body portion of the inner tube section l3. Thus, when the screw or fastener iii is tightened to elevate the clamping member 59 to the home position of fixation within the tube sections, the tapered free ends 2323 bear firmly against the flanges l? and the inner face of the inner tube section wall. At the crotches the flanges meet the tube wall. The clamping action resulting from tightening the screw or fastener it thereby results in drawing the tubes together at the longitudinal openings so that the tube sections will be firmly joined and precluded from relative shifting movement both longitudinally and rotationally. If desireda washer maybe lbs placed on the screw or fastener underneath the head it, this not being illustrated as it will ordinarily not be required unless the head 58 is of reduced diameter. The clamping member i9, including the legs 2! and 22 thereof, may be of any desired length, and in certain instances might be furnished with a plurality Of threaded bores 23 to receive screws or fasteners as previously explained. When exceptionally tight joints between the tube sections are required, the clamping member may be suficiently long to embody two or more internally threaded bores Ell arranged in a straight line midway between the upstanding legs 2! and22.

The securing means for the tube sections have proven highly effective for maintaining a fixed condition of the tube sections, with the further advantage that assembly is greatly facilitated and expedited by the use thereof.

An alternative form of securing means is illustrated by Fig. 6, wherein E l indicates a common screw to be threaded into the internally threaded bore 25 of the clamping element 25. The clamping element'of Fig. 6 differs from that of Fig. 5, in that it is a casting or a forging shaped to furnish spaced shoulders 21-2? curved in correspondency with the radius of the inner tube section so as to have a substantial bearing upon the inner wall surface of said tube section. The channel 28 between the shoulders is of a width approximating the overall distance across the flanges il-i'l of the inner tube section, so that the inner edges of the flanges may rest within the channel as the screw is tightened in fixing the tube sections against relative movement. The

clamp means of Figs. 5 and 6 obviously will suggest other forms, of which Fig. 6A is an example, which might be adopted for fixing the tube sections relative to one another in the telescopic relationship. In accordance with Fig. 6A, the

clamping member 1% corresponds with member 59, or member 26, but instead of being bored and threaded, it carries a fixed upstanding stud I25 onto which may be threaded a common nut 25 to be applied exteriorly of the tube sections after part Hill has been positioned to embrace the flanges li-li.

Reference is now made to Fig. 1,. which illustrates a representative assembly for an earth supported sign. The sign in this instance comprises a panel 29 mounted upon a pair of spaced parallel frame members or timbers 3!) located at the rear of the panel. Finish moldings 3! may be applied to the outer face of the panel, if desired. The character 32 indicates a panel supporting bracket, which is shown in detail by Fig. 8, said bracket comprising a base 33 provided with a series of apertures 3:; to receive screws or other I fasteners 5 entering the frame. or timber member 38. The base of the panel supporting bracket may carry an'integral sleeve 35 of proper internal dimension to receive snugly an inner tube section 53 which constitutes a part of the upright standard 3i for the sign structure. The sleeve may be furnished with a lateral aperture 38, if desired,

for reception of a self-threading screw or other fastener adapted to penetrate the material of the upright standard and thereby preclude gravitation of the panel supporting bracket along the length of the standard.

The smooth bore 39 of the sleeve extends transversely of the base 33, and'from the periphery of the sleeve extends a substantially flat head Al which is apertured as at 41 to receive a bolt or other fastener. l-lead 4i! preferably-islocated in a plane which is at right angles to the plane of base 33. The plane of head 40 may include the axis of bore 39, if desired. The opposite flat faces of the head preferably should be parallel to one another, so that either face may provide a seat against which a fitting may be bolted or otherwise secured. Reverting to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the head 40 of bracket 32 is affixed to a similar head 42 of a plug-type end vconnector 43 mounted upon one end of a sign structure brace 45, the connection being effected by means of a bolt or other fastener 44. The plug-' type end connector is illustrated in detail by Fig. 11, and will be seen to include an aperture 45 for reception of the fastener 44, formed centrally of the head. At the end of the connector op'-,.

posite the head, a plug 41 is provided for entry within one end of the inner tube section l3 which constitutes the brace 45. The plug end may be slotted as at 48 to receive a, fastener inserted through the way of the tube section. An annular shoulder 49 on this fitting may limit the distance to which the plug may be inserted into the tube section. The width of slot 48 is sufficient to accommodate the flanges of the inner tube section, and it is intended that an ordinary bolt and nut, or the device of Fig. 6A, may be utilized in perfecting the connection between the tube section and the plug end 4? of the connector 43. Alternatively, however, the

attachment of connector 43 to an end of the.

tube section may be effected by means of the securing devices illustrated at |5|9 of Fig. 5, or at 24-26 of Fig. 6.

As indicated upon Fig. 1, a second panel supporting bracket 32 may be applied to the lower frame member 30 of the sign in substantially the manner above explained. When necessary, a connecting strut may be placed in spanning relationship to the upright standard 31 and the brace 45, said strut being constituted of two plugtype end connectors 43, one of which is fixed to an inner tube section I3, and the other of which is fixed to an outer tube section |4 telescopically joined together by means of the fasteners |6. The connector 43 adjacent to the standard 3'! has its head bolted to the head of bracket 32, whereas the connector atthe opposite end .of the strut has its head bolted to the corresponding head'50 of a brace coupler 5|, which is illustrated in detail by Fig. 9. This brace coupler includes an annular sleeve 52, the bore 53 of which is transvers to the aperture 54 of the head 50, and dimensioned to snugly receive an inner tube section l3. A screw or other fastener 55 may be inserted through an opening in the sleeve, with the shank of the screw entering the longitudinal Way of the tube section andadapted to receive interiorly thereof a clamping element such as i5 Or 26. An additional opening 56 may be provided in the sleeve to receive a self-threading screw which will penetrate the wall of the tube section and thereby furnish an additional anchorage for the brace coupler upon the tube section. A bolt or other fastener 51 may be utilized in clamping together the head .of the brace coupler 5| and the adjacent end connector 43.

When the sign structure is to be earth supported, as in Fig. 1, the lower ends of the upright standard 3! and the brace 45 may be inserted into outer tube sections l4, and fastened thereto telescopically by means of screws or the like it, in the manner illustrated by Fig. 5. The lower ends of the embedded tube sections |4 may be furnished with augers 58 or other anchorage means-to render secure the foundation of the sign structure. In some instances, the auger members may be discarded in favor of concrete anchorages, or anchorages in other forms.

Where the sign structure of Fig. 1 is quite long in the horizontal direction, or for any other reason requires added strength, a truss 59 may be interposed between braces such as 45 to impart the necessary rigidity. Truss 59 may comprise a pair of telescopic members such as i3 and M, each furnished at its free end with a plug-type end connector 43 joined to a brace coupler 59' (similar in construction to the coupier 5U afiixed to a brace 45 in the same manher as was explained in describing the strut which spans the upright standard 3'l and the brace 45. The coupler 59' may be fixed to the tubular brace 45 by means of a self-threading screw or othe fastener inserted through the opening 59" to penetrate the material of the brace tube.

The roof installation illustrated by Fig. 2 corresponds with that of Fig. 1 except for the fact that the anchors are different. In Fig. 2, the. anchors are in the form of plates 60, one of which is illustrated by Fig. 10. Plate 6!! may be furnished with a series of apertures 5| to receive screws or other fasteners 62 adapted to penetrate the roof slab and anchor themselves in the roof truss members 63. A neck 64 upstanding upon the plate 60, carries a circular head 65 apertured centrally as at 65 to receive a bolt or other fastener 61 whereby the plug-type connector 43 on the end of brace element 68 may 5?. be joined to the anchor member. Similarly, the

upright standard 69 of the Fig. 2 sign structure may be joined as at 10, to the anchor member 50 which supports the upright standard. As in Fig. 1, the upright standard and the brace of Fig. 2 are constituted of telescopic tubular sections l3 and I4 joined together by means of the fasteners l6. If desired, the upper end of the standard in any assembly may be closed by means of an end cap H.

In Fig. 3 is illustrated a roof mast constructed of the various fittings and elements previously described herein, for the support of a suspendedsign 12. The mast comprises a pair of plate-type anchor members 50 applied to the roof 13, the forward one of which supports an upright standard l4 constituted of a length of tube section |3. Member 74 may be fixed to the anchor member by means of a plug-type end connector 43, and :at its upper end the standard 14 may carry a brace coupler 5| upon which is superposed a capping plug 15. This plug may be similar to the cap 'H previously mentioned, with a decorative knob l6 added thereto. The uppermost fitting 5| provides support for a brace i! which reaches rearwardly to the anchor member $11 at the foot end thereof, where a connection is made by means of an end connector 43. A similar end connector 43 furnishes a mount for the brace at the top of the upright standard 14.

Intermediate the ends of the upright standard, a series of brace couplers 5| may be applied and fastened thereto for the purpose of supporting the series of radial arms 18,19 and 8B which anchor the various guys of wire, cable, or the like indicated generally by the character 8|. The

guys extend to the forward end of a suspension three specific forms of sign structures as exemplified by Figs. 1, 2 and 3, it is to be understood that these structures are merely illustrative in. character, and might therefore be altered to, suit varying circumstances and conditions under which the sign structures are. tobeerected. For example, the mast construction illustrated by Fig. 3 may vary considerably depending upon the size of the sign panel, the slope of the roof which supports it, and the height at which the sign panel is to be suspended. For the same reasons and possibly others, the sign structures illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2 might require alterations and modifications, but in every instance it will be possible to erect the proposed sign structure by means of the tubular sections and the series of fittings herein described. The tube sections. may be supplied in any length, and may be cut at the site of erection to furnish the necessary length of any uprights, braces, struts or trusses that may be required in making any particular installation. Thus, it will be understood that the work crew may quickly and expertly erect any desired type of sign structure using the means provided as herein specified, without carrying to the job a variety of timbers and other structural elements not actually needed for completion of the installation. Other advantages of the invention have been previously referred to herein, and

be found convenient under certain circumstances head being transverse to said opening with the axis of the aperture substantially parallel to the major axis of the base plate, the base plate of the anchorage member being adapted to be attached toa sign panel with an upright sign supporting bar disposed in the neck opening and with a brace pivotally attached to the apertured head for supporting the sign panel.

'2. A framework for supporting a sign panel which comprises a pair of sign anchorage members, each of said sign anchorage members comprising an elongated base plate, an intermediate neck portion having an opening spaced from and extending transversely of the major axis of the I elongated base plate, and a centrally apertured circular head supported upon the neck portion, the axis of the aperture of the circular head being transverse to said opening and substantially par allel to the major axis of the base plate, means for attaching the anchorage members to the sign panel in vertically spaced relation with the openings of the neck portions in alignment, an upright post disposed in and fixed to the neck openings of the anchorage members, a main brace pivotally attached to the circular head of the through spaced from and extending transversely to select and use one form of clamping device in preference to another, particularly as concerns accessibility in the application of tightening tools. The device of Fig. fill may properly be considered a T-bolt type of fastener, and as may readily be Having described my invention, whatv I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A sign anchorage member which comprises a substantially fiat elongated base plate, an intermediate neck portion having an opening spaced from and extending transversely of the major axis of the elongated base plate, and a centrally apertured circular head supported upon the neck portion, the aperture of the circular of the base plate, and a centrally apertured circular head supported upon the neck portion, the aperture of the circular head being transverse to said opening, the base plate of the anchorage member being adapted to be attached to a sign panel with an upright sign support bar disposed in thev neck opening and with a brace pivot-ally attached to the apertured head for supporting the sign structure.

4. A one-piece sign anchorage member comprising a. tubular split ring provided with a split parallel to the axis thereof, a pair of oppositely extending rectangular flanges lying inthe plane tangent to said ring at said split, each of said flanges having at least one aperture adapted to receive means. for securing the flanges to a substantially flat surface, and a disc shaped lug projecting radially outward from said split ring opposite the split therein and oriented with one of its diameters parallel to said split, there being an axial aperture in said disc adapted to receive means for securing another sign member thereto, there being an aperture in said split ring inter" mediate said lug and said split adapted to receive means for securing the sign anchorage member against axial displacement along a post received in the split ring.

STEPHEN W. KANAVAL.

successions CITED Thefollowing references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 928,534 OBrien July 20, 1909 1,623,047 Cooke V., Apr. 5, 1927 

